A couple weeks ago Creative Minnesota went on a road show to promote the findings of a major study. The data showed the arts have been having a major economic effect in Minnesota. The Arrowhead is the second-most vibrant region, though it is only the fourth largest in population. Here’s more information on what was presented.

All-in-all it has been an exciting year in the local Twin Ports art scene. I was able to interview and share the work of more than 25 artists again this year. My blog post today links to 15 of those interviews that were shared at Ennyman’s Territory from July through December.

End of the year means summing up what’s been happening in 2014 so we can turn forward and face the new year. This morning I posted links to many of the interviews with local artists that I had the privilege of sharing from January through June. This was another great year for arts happenings here in the Twin Ports. Here are some of the people who make it happen.

Work by Karen Owlsley Nease who has recently transplanted to the North Country from Kansas City.

Tonight Daniel Hansen and Lucas Anderson are having a very special art opening at the Prøve Gallery titled “Master Meme.” Daniel Hansen is a local artist with a disability who explores pop culture, ’80s pixelation, and contemporary issues. Lucas Anderson teaches art locally at Marshall Academy. The show features individual work and art they have created collaboratively. This is the capstone show for the Prøve’s first year, and it’s nothing short of a “must see,” even if only for the spirit in which the work has been generated and generously shared with our community. Opening is from 7 to 11 p.m.

If you’re at all on the fence, you can see some of Hansen’s digital brilliance on my accompanying review at Ennyman’s Territory.

Thirty-five of Adam Swanson’s paintings are on display at the Zeitgeist Arts Café here in Duluth for the next several weeks. Last night I caught the opening and found his work as vibrant as ever. I encourage friends of the arts to check it out. Here’s a short introduction to the artist for those who don’t know him.

Tonight is the ninth show opening at the Prøve Gallery in Downtown Duluth. Nick Monson, a co-owner of the gallery, talked about the show titled “Slow Motion,” which promises to be interesting as usual. The full story is at Ennyman’s Territory.

I don’t think I can put enough likes on the page to do it justice. Just a note to check out some of the films that Richard Hansen and the Duluth Superior Film Festival folks have brought to us this year. Very much in line with our North Country interests and at reasonable price for all access passes — $20. Great films, great music, great art and good times. A longer version of my opinion here.

As usual, the Homegrown Music Festival has generated huge quantities of buzz, and remains a real showcase for what’s happening in the Northland. I was especially interested in the Homegrown arts facet, caught every opening and even the Lake Superior College opening that was not part of Homegrown … and a little music as well. So much to see and not enough time to write about it all. I did sum up my Friday and Saturday evenings this morning on my blog at Ennyman’s Territory.

Kudos to all organizers, volunteers, bands, and artists who once again made this a very special week for the Twin Ports community.

Patron of the arts enjoying a set of images at Prove Gallery Saturday night.

This is a first rate exhibit that you shouldn’t miss if you follow the local arts scene. UWS professor Bill Morgan has influenced many art students and broadened their experience. There’s plenty to see.

If you’re wondering what Picasso at the Lapin Agile is all about, I hope this review will whet your appetite. Rubber Chicken Theater at the Play Ground, a Steve Martin play that promises much… and aims to deliver.

Art history has taken us into some very interesting and sometimes strange terrains and spaces these past 150 years. What’s amazing is how much pop culture has been influenced by fringe and almost unknown artists in terms of the wider public, just as our clothing fashions are influenced by events that took place last year on a runway in Paris.

Thanks to the Duluth Art Institute we had an opportunity to re-visit the 1980 Robert Hughes eight-part documentary called “Shock of the New” which is a helpful overview of what occurred in the arts from the late 1900s to Pop art and Happenings. In a surprise follow-up DAI curator Annie Dugan gave us a 2005 sequel/addendum in which Hughes looks back and makes some additional observations.

Portrait of Joyce (Blue View)

There are reasons the wider public struggles to grasp what the fringe players are up to, but Hughes and art critic Greg Volk (who spoke at UMD a few weeks back) help bring insight and perspective to many basic issues regarding modern and post-modern art. My personal observations are assembled here for consideration and discussion.